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As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
H. B. No. 753
2025-2026
Representative Schmidt
To
amend section 4507.11
and to enact section 4506.091
of the Revised Code
to
require the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to administer all drivers
exams in English.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section
1.
That
section 4507.11
be amended and section 4506.091
of the Revised Code be
enacted
to
read as follows:
Sec.
4506.091.
(A)
The registrar of motor vehicles shall conduct in the English language
both of the following:
(1)
Any knowledge test for a person applying for a commercial driver's
license temporary instruction permit in accordance with section
4506.06 of the Revised Code;
(2)
Any skills test for a commercial driver's license in accordance with
section 4506.09 of the Revised Code.
(B)
The registrar shall not authorize the use of a translator,
translation dictionary, an electronic device, or an interpreter to
assist with the administration of any examination except as necessary
to comply with the accessibility guidelines of the "Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990," 42 U.S.C. 12101, et seq.
Sec.
4507.11.
(A)(1)
Except as provided in section 4507.112 of the Revised Code, the
registrar of motor vehicles shall conduct all necessary examinations
of applicants for temporary instruction permits, drivers' licenses,
motorcycle operators' endorsements, or motor-driven cycle or motor
scooter endorsements. The examination shall include a test of the
applicant's knowledge of motor vehicle laws, including the laws
governing stopping for school buses and use of an electronic wireless
communications device while operating a motor vehicle, a test of the
applicant's physical fitness to drive, and a test of the applicant's
ability to understand highway traffic control devices. The registrar
may
shall
conduct
the examination in
such
a manner that applicants who are illiterate or limited in their
knowledge of
the
English language
are
tested
and
by
methods that would indicate to the examining officer that the
applicant has a reasonable knowledge of motor vehicle laws and
understands highway traffic control devices.
The registrar shall not authorize the use of a translator,
translation dictionary, an electronic device, or an interpreter to
assist with the administration of any examination except as necessary
to comply with the accessibility guidelines of the "Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990," 42 U.S.C. 12101, et seq.
(2)
An applicant for a driver's license shall give an actual
demonstration of the ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable
control in the operation of a motor vehicle by driving a motor
vehicle under the supervision of an examining officer; however, no
applicant for a driver's license shall use a low-speed or under-speed
vehicle or a mini-truck for the purpose of demonstrating ability to
exercise ordinary and reasonable control over a vehicle. The
demonstration shall consist of a maneuverability test and a road
test. The director of public safety shall determine the formats of
the tests.
(3)
Except as provided in division (B) of this section, an applicant for
a motorcycle operator's endorsement or a restricted license that
permits only the operation of a motorcycle shall give an actual
demonstration of the ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable
control in the operation of a motorcycle by driving a motorcycle
under the supervision of an examining officer. However, no applicant
for such an endorsement or restricted license shall use a
motor-driven cycle or motor scooter for the purpose of demonstrating
ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation
of a motorcycle.
(4)
Except as provided in division (B) of this section, an applicant for
a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter operator's endorsement or a
restricted license that permits only the operation of a motor-driven
cycle or motor scooter shall give an actual demonstration of the
ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation
of a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter by driving a motor-driven
cycle or motor scooter under the supervision of an examining officer.
(5)
Except as provided in sections 4507.112 and 4507.12 of the Revised
Code, the registrar shall designate the highway patrol, any law
enforcement body, or any other employee of the department of public
safety to supervise and conduct examinations for temporary
instruction permits, drivers' licenses, and motorcycle operators'
endorsements and shall provide the necessary rules and forms to
properly conduct the examinations. A deputy registrar shall forward
to the registrar the records of the examinations, together with the
application for a temporary instruction permit, driver's license, or
motorcycle operator's endorsement. If in the opinion of the registrar
the applicant is qualified to operate a motor vehicle, the registrar
shall issue the permit, license, or endorsement.
(6)
The registrar may authorize the highway patrol, other designated law
enforcement body, or other designated employee of the department of
public safety to issue an examiner's driving permit to an applicant
who has passed the required examination, authorizing that applicant
to operate a motor vehicle while the registrar is completing an
investigation relative to that applicant's qualifications to receive
a temporary instruction permit, driver's license, or motorcycle
operator's endorsement. The applicant shall keep the examiner's
driving permit in the applicant's immediate possession while
operating a motor vehicle. The examiner's driving permit is effective
until final action and notification has been given by the registrar,
but in no event longer than sixty days from its date of issuance.
(B)(1)
An applicant for a motorcycle operator's endorsement or a restricted
license that permits only the operation of a motorcycle who presents
to the registrar of motor vehicles or a deputy registrar a form
approved by the director of public safety attesting to the
applicant's successful completion within the preceding sixty days of
a course of basic instruction provided by the motorcycle safety and
education program approved by the director pursuant to section
4508.08 of the Revised Code shall not be required to give an actual
demonstration of the ability to operate a motorcycle by driving a
motorcycle under the supervision of an examining officer, as
described in division (A) of this section. An applicant for a
motor-driven cycle or motor scooter operator's endorsement or a
restricted license that permits only the operation of a motor-driven
cycle or motor scooter who presents to the registrar of motor
vehicles or a deputy registrar a form approved by the director of
public safety attesting to the applicant's successful completion
within the preceding sixty days of a course of basic instruction
provided by the motorcycle safety and education program approved by
the director pursuant to section 4508.08 of the Revised Code shall
not be required to give an actual demonstration of the ability to
operate a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter by driving a
motor-driven cycle or motor scooter under the supervision of an
examining officer, as described in division (A) of this section. Upon
presentation of the form described in division (B)(1) of this section
and compliance with all other requirements relating to the issuance
of a motorcycle operator's endorsement or a restricted license that
permits only the operation of a motorcycle, the registrar or deputy
registrar shall issue to the applicant the endorsement or restricted
license, as the case may be.
(2)
A person who has not attained eighteen years of age and presents an
application for a motorcycle operator's endorsement or a restricted
license under division (B)(1) of this section also shall comply with
the requirements of section 4507.21 of the Revised Code.
(C)
A person who holds a valid motorcycle endorsement or restricted
license that permits only the operation of a motorcycle may operate a
motor-driven cycle or motor scooter with that endorsement or
restricted license.
Section
2.
That
existing section 4507.11 of the Revised Code is hereby repealed.